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Respiratory therapist: the path

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment. Description from O*NET

Also called: CRRT (Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist), CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist), Diagnostics RRT (Diagnostics Registered Respiratory Therapist), Infant RT (Infant Respiratory Therapist), Licensed CRT (Licensed Certified Respiratory Therapist)

Typical pay$82,280Median yearly pay, BLS 2025
Job outlook+8.5% jobsProjected change, 2025–35. All jobs: +3.5%.
Time after high schoolAbout 2 to 4 yearsTypical full-time study and training
  1. Step 1Respiratory therapy degreeAssociate degree at minimum; some employers prefer a bachelor’s
  2. Step 2Credentialing exam
  3. Step 3State licenseRequired in most states

Typical education to start: Associate's degree · More on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

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Colleges for this path

Related majors: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

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1,081 colleges match

College Scorecard, 2024 data. Earnings are the median for graduates of the related majors, 4 years after graduating. All figures are estimates.

Best value = earnings ÷ (net price × years of study). Net prices under $1,000 count as $1,000.

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